It might be impossible to remove it from there altogether, but there are certain measures you can take to minimize your exposure. Your card will be charged either a monthly or annual fee, depending on the membership plan you choose. If you believe one of the above scenarios is applicable to you, follow these steps on how to change your Social Security number.
If someone uses your SSN to file a fraudulent tax return, it can cause delays in receiving your legitimate tax refund. By filing early, you reduce the chances of someone else using your SSN before you do. For example, if your SSN is used to open new lines of credit in your name, the damage to your credit score could take years to repair. And if your SSN is used to file a fraudulent tax return, you could end up owing the IRS a lot of money. Look for any unusual activity, such as charges you don’t recognize or withdrawals from your account that you didn’t make. If you see anything suspicious, contact your bank or credit card company right away.
Steps To Take If Your Social Security Number Is Found On The Dark Web
- This trusted contact doesn’t control a customer’s accounts or the ability to see what’s in them.
- Your bank will normally send you a new card after suspicious purchases are identified or reported.
- Get alerted if we detect your information somewhere suspicious so you can take action right away.
- However, by taking some simple steps, you can help to protect yourself from identity theft and other risks.
- When you’re done changing your passwords, the next thing you should do is check your credit report.
One such service is how Hofmann, who filed the lawsuit, found out that his information has been leaked as part of NPD breach. There are many similar companies that scrape public data to create files on consumers, which they then sell to other businesses, Steinhauer said. The company added that it is working with law enforcement and government investigators. NPD said it “will try to notify you if there are further significant developments applicable to you.”
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office Of Strategic And Digital Communications
Sign up for our newsletter and learn how to protect your computer from threats. Beyond the financial and privacy implications, SSN exposure can also cause emotional distress and consume significant time and resources to resolve. However, remember to unlock your SSN if you’re applying for a job with an employer that uses E-Verify.
How This Can Lead To Identity Theft
You should create one as soon as you discover that your SSN is on the dark web. Otherwise, an identity thief could file a fraudulent tax return using your SSN and claim a refund before you do. You may be concerned if your Social Security number (SSN) was found on the dark web following the recent breach that, according to CNBC, exposed almost three billion SSNs. National Public Data, a company that conducts background checks, suffered a data breach involving SSNs, email addresses, phone numbers and home addresses.
Can You Remove Your SSN From The Dark Web?
Criminals today are exploiting SSNs for everything from opening credit cards to stealing tax refunds. As a legal analyst and journalist with a deep interest in protecting consumers, I can tell you—this is serious business. Let me walk you through what you need to do now to protect yourself and prevent further harm. Your stolen SSN can also be used to file fraudulent tax returns, and even obtain medical care. In addition, your SSN may be sold multiple times on the dark web, which can make it difficult to regain control of your personal information.
What Are The Consequences Of Having Your SSN On The Dark Web?
- That’s why it’s crucial that you determine whether or not your SSN is out there.
- If the worst should happen, you’ll be covered by Identity Guard’s White Glove Fraud Resolution support and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
- Bleeping Computer reports that the hacked data involves 2.7 billion records, with individuals having multiple records in the database.
- Passwords are among the most commonly leaked pieces of sensitive personal information.
- Since banks don’t always run a credit check when you open a new bank account, someone could still open a checking or savings account in your name.
Many of these apps can also automatically fill in your passwords after you log in. In extreme cases, you may consider requesting a new SSN from the Social Security Administration. However, this is a difficult process, and a new SSN won’t necessarily solve all the problems related to identity theft. In addition to freezing your credit, there are ways to purchase additional protection. Be sure to submit requests to each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
To file an identity theft report with the FTC, visit IdentityTheft.gov. You can also use the same resource to get a customized fraud recovery plan. Consider an SSN monitoring tool like Aura to alert you if your personal information is being illegally used. Mark is a staff editor at Gen who specializes in cybersecurity and identity protection. He aims to help readers learn how to navigate their digital lives more safely. As identity thieves become more advanced, you need to combine personal information protection, document handling, and cybersecurity best practices to protect your SSN.
How To Check If My Social Security Data Was Compromised
You can request an IP PIN by creating an IRS account, verifying your identity, and following the on-screen instructions. After completing the verification and confirming that the IRS’ information is accurate, click Enroll in IP PIN. The dark web is a hidden, unregulated part of the internet, which makes it a hotbed for hackers selling stolen personal information, including Social Security numbers (SSNs). Protect your identity and data if your Social Security Number is compromised on the dark web. Ashley D’Andrea is a Content Writer at Keeper Security, where she specializes in producing informative yet creative content on cybersecurity topics. She takes pride in simplifying complex, technical concepts to help individuals and businesses stay safe online.
Your bank will normally send you a new card after suspicious purchases are identified or reported. By reporting the incident to the authorities, you contribute to the collective effort in combating cybercrime and protect yourself from potential identity theft. Act swiftly to ensure that necessary investigations can be carried out and appropriate measures can be taken to safeguard your personal information. There are tools available that will monitor what information about you is available on the dark web, noted Michael Blair, managing director of cybersecurity firm NukuDo.
If you’re unsure whether your SSN is on the dark web, there are several signs you can watch for or actions you can take to determine if your SSN has fallen into the wrong hands. Harris said, “Just learning the basics of how to protect yourself and making sure your information is as secure as possible.” But the darkness of these deals doesn’t perfectly hide criminals from accountability. The local FBI office says even criminals buying and selling from other countries are being caught. Collins said, “We arrested someone in Romania and had them extradited to Utah.”
Financial Fraud
The company will then share the information with the other two credit reporting companies and add an alert to your file. This will notify creditors that you may be a victim of identity theft and make it more difficult for thieves to open new accounts in your name. When you’re done changing your passwords, the next thing you should do is check your credit report. In other words, your data may have been compromised long before the latest incident, which AT&T says affected 73 million current and former customers.
Now that we understand the gravity of the situation, let’s explore the steps you should take to protect yourself. Before delving into the action steps, it’s important to understand the dark web and why finding your SSN there is cause for concern. Unlike when someone uses your information to trick a company, if a scammer tricks you into sending them money, you might not be able to get it back. And scammers who gather information about you from the dark web and elsewhere might be able to trick you more easily.
Having your Social Security number on the dark web leaves you vulnerable to identify theft. In fact, according to Javelin Strategy & Research, identity fraud cases amounted to $28 billion and impacted 27 million Americans in 2021. There are some simple actions you can take to protect your identity and pocketbook from this national “identity crisis.” If this happens, contact the company immediately and report the fraudulent activity. Criminals can use stolen Social Security numbers to submit false health insurance claims, illegally obtain medical insurance funds, or steal prescription medication. Medical identity theft makes it difficult for affected parties to receive healthcare, claim payouts, or sign up for new medical services.
If your email was found on the Dark Web, you could be at risk of identity theft or fraud. If your SSN is found on the Dark Web, it’s nearly impossible to remove. Instead, you should try to figure out what additional information has been compromised — such as your credit card numbers, home address, or phone number — so you can mitigate the damage. The Social Security Administration also provides online access to your earnings and benefits history through its my Social Security account.
